​Building Pros: Insulate In 6

For any professional or budding  insulation installer, the approach to installing can be summed in 6-steps.

1. Experience
2. Correct materials
3. Preparation
4. Knowing the ratio
5. Storing and securing
6. Quality

Experience, no matter if you are installing the spray foam or the batting yourself, it’s essential to ensure you have the necessary expertise. If you are going with an installer, make sure that they can do it with quality and not a sloppy job. You will be thankful down the road – especially if there turns out to be any issues!

Having the right products sometimes cutting corners to save a buck isn’t worth it; therefore, consulting with a specialist or a contractor will help determine what materials you need and if there are cost-saving tips to help. From the application of the insulation to the grade, these are factors that are important to consider when picking the right product.

Preparation of both the site to be insulated but also of the materials. If you are doing the insulation yourself, ensure you have enough insulation for the square feet; however, if you are having a professional come in – preparing the area to insulate will make the process go much faster and smoother. When you hire a professional to insulate, whether they are using spray foam or batting – don’t be afraid to ask questions about how you can prepare and make the process smoother and more manageable.

Know your ratio – when it comes to spray foam there is a ratio that must be considered to get the material to be what is sprayed; therefore, it is essential to know the proper ratio to ensure that the product will work to its fullest capacity. In a way having a professional install spray foam insulation can be beneficial as they will have the training and experience when it comes to preparing the materials.

Store and secure the insulating at the proper temperature. No matter what brand, or type of material, manufacturers of insulation will state the ideal temperature for storage but also installation. Stuff that isn’t stored in the perfect temperatures can find that they don’t work to their fullest capacities. The saving of materials in ideal temperatures is one thing to consider – the other is the temperature for installation as that can also affect the content too!

Quality and testing are essential once the waiting period has passed, especially with spray foam. It is important to check where the insulating was installed like BA-PFI-HS High-Security Fire-Rated Insulated Access Panel with Flange to ensure all gaps were in-fact covered; there are no leaks or no issues with the installation. Following up is essential whether it’s a DIY or professionally done.

Insulation, sprayed or layered, there are factors to consider and keep in mind. From the installation process mentioned above but also the budget and timing.

If you are confident in your ability to insulate with spray foam and can create the mixture without difficulties, then it can be a cost-effective approach to insulation; however, if you are more comfortable with layering, understanding the R-value and what the numbers mean can ensure you have chosen the right insulation for the proper purpose and goal.

For more helpful building tips like this or more on the construction industry, visit our blog page.